SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Sl55 vs Z51 ride comfort
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From: naples.fl
2010 CL550 loaded
Sl55 vs Z51 ride comfort
New member looking to purchase a SL55. I have a Corvette w/z51 package. Can any ex vette owners discuss the ride and handling between the 2 cars?. I found a 2007 SL55 with 16770 mile car. It listed for $145,000 asking $ 70,000 , fair price ? Non Benz dealer. This board has been of great service to my search for a new ride . Thanks
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c350
I used to have a Corvette with the Z51.
Z51 vs. SL55AMG results in a smoother ride in the SL.
The Corvette, while not teeth rattling, was a "harder" ride which allowed for more road noise in the car.
For me, the SL is a great example of a grand touring sports car.
One thing you will notice immediately while driving the SL is the weight of the car, the Corvette - by comparision, is much lighter.
Again, for my taste, I like the heavy feeling of Mercedes Benz - it inspires confidence, solidness, and security.
Z51 vs. SL55AMG results in a smoother ride in the SL.
The Corvette, while not teeth rattling, was a "harder" ride which allowed for more road noise in the car.
For me, the SL is a great example of a grand touring sports car.
One thing you will notice immediately while driving the SL is the weight of the car, the Corvette - by comparision, is much lighter.
Again, for my taste, I like the heavy feeling of Mercedes Benz - it inspires confidence, solidness, and security.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
I've not ridden in a Corvette recently so I can't comment on the ride differences.
I'll add my two cents on the SL's handling, though. The SL's ABC system does an amazing job of keeping the car flat through corners. In addition, the steering linkage is extremely precise: the car goes exactly where I point 100% of the time which makes it simple to hold my line through a corner. As a result, the car handles much better than it has any right to given its weight.
You might also want to cross shop the SL600 before pulling the trigger on an SL55. A stock SL600 is at least as fast as a stock SL55 off the line and is definitely faster at higher speeds. The SL600's engine is also easier to modify to achieve higher engine power since a simple ECU tune can increase turbo boost, if you care about that sort of thing. There's some discussion in this thread about SL600 prices having fallen faster and further than SL55 prices, too: https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...es-lately.html.
That said, the SL55 is a great car, too, with plenty of happy owners in this forum and elsewhere.
Good luck with the decision!!
I'll add my two cents on the SL's handling, though. The SL's ABC system does an amazing job of keeping the car flat through corners. In addition, the steering linkage is extremely precise: the car goes exactly where I point 100% of the time which makes it simple to hold my line through a corner. As a result, the car handles much better than it has any right to given its weight.
You might also want to cross shop the SL600 before pulling the trigger on an SL55. A stock SL600 is at least as fast as a stock SL55 off the line and is definitely faster at higher speeds. The SL600's engine is also easier to modify to achieve higher engine power since a simple ECU tune can increase turbo boost, if you care about that sort of thing. There's some discussion in this thread about SL600 prices having fallen faster and further than SL55 prices, too: https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...es-lately.html.
That said, the SL55 is a great car, too, with plenty of happy owners in this forum and elsewhere.
Good luck with the decision!!
Last edited by jmf003; Feb 16, 2009 at 11:54 AM. Reason: fixed typo
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Nipomo, CA
2025 GT55
I agree 100% with aalpss' comments. The biggest difference I've felt is in the weight. My 2000 C5 was 1000 lbs lighter, but with the Z51 suspension you did feel and hear the road more, especially with the run-flat tires. Ride was better when I went with non-run-flat's, but the SL is much smoother, definitely more of a luxury touring car, and you can't beat the hardtop convertible aspect. My C5 was faster with intercooled s/c and many other goodies, but I would never go back after having several SL's now. You may not be able to throw around the SL like the vette, but it is more enjoyable as a daily driver and much more appreciated on long trips.
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SL55
I currently have a non-Z51 C5 and an SL55. Even with a non-Z51 Corvette the ride difference is night and day between the two. The SL is so much more pleasant to drive that I honestly don't know how often I'll use the 'Vette anymore. I might break it out now and then just for fun, but the SL is definitely my car of choice to drive on a normal basis.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
The SL55 is going to ride much better than the vette.
As for comparing the SL600. Forget it! I just had a very nice SL600 in the shop and driving it back to back with my SL55 really brought out the difference in the handling, and brakes, which are hugely better in the SL55. Even in 'sport' the 600 felt floaty and lacked body control in the corners, compared to to the 55. While that 600 engine is very tunable (we do allot), the 55 is the better sports car.
As for comparing the SL600. Forget it! I just had a very nice SL600 in the shop and driving it back to back with my SL55 really brought out the difference in the handling, and brakes, which are hugely better in the SL55. Even in 'sport' the 600 felt floaty and lacked body control in the corners, compared to to the 55. While that 600 engine is very tunable (we do allot), the 55 is the better sports car.
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2006 Dodge Viper, 2006 SL55
I own an '01 Z06 and an '06 SL55, and and drove a C6 w/Z51 at Spring Mountain a few years ago. In my opinion, the SL55 suspension is slightly softer than the Z06, but well composed. The Z51 felt too soft for me when I drove it at Spring Mountain. I ended up going back to the C5Z after one day on the track.
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